Air circulatory system



Aug. 16, 1938.

w. s. STRO NG AIR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24,1936 INVENTOR f ATTORNEY Ollg HIS;

Aug. 16, 1938. w. E. s. STRONG AIR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 24, 1936 mvzgngr William' ron BY 2 j 5 H ATTORNEY PatentedAug. 16, 1938 2,127,095 AIR. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM William E. S. Strong,New York, N. Y., assignor to John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y.,I a. corporation of New York Application April 24, 1936, Serial No.76,113

Claims.

This invention relates to an air circulatory system.

More particularly the present invention relates to an air circulatorysystem for heating and ventilating and otherwise air conditioning theinterior of a structure such as a dwelling house.

The present system effects a forced flow of air over a central thermaland/or other conditioning unit and distribution of the thereby treatedair through appropriate chambers, such as the rooms of a dwelling house,for utilization, and provides for the return of such used air,thereafter, to an appropriate chamber, followed by a re-flow of such airover the thermal and/or other conditioning unit or units to afford.continuous conditioning of air in the system and continuous circulationof such conditioned air distributively throughout the utilizationchambers of the system.

Advantageously, the air collection chamber is provided with means foradmitting fresh air from the outer atmosphere, and regulating theadmission of such fresh air into the circulatory system. Desirably,also, one or more of the utilization chambers are provided with meansaffording partial cut-01f for such chamber or chambers from othercomponent chambers of the system, such means allowing admission ofconditioned air from they system to such partially cut-off chamber orchambers but effecting discharge of 'used air therefrom .into theoutside atmosphere rather than the return of such air into thesystem forre-circulation.

Embodiments of this invention in their essentials include anair-collection chamber, a plenum chamber spaced apart therefrom adistance determining one dimension of the utilization chambers to beprovided with conditioned air, a conditioning' conduit extending betweenthe air-collection chamber and the plenum chamber, and communicatingtherewith at its ends, outlets from the plenum chamber into theutilization chambers, outletsfrom the utilization chamber into theair-collection chamber, a thermal or other conditioning unit or unitspositioned within the conditioning conduit, and air circulating meansfor effecting a forced circulation of air from the air-collectionchamber through the conditioning conduit into the plenum chamber, andthence, distributively through the utilization. chambers back to theair-collection chamber.

The present invention is particularly applicable to the heating andventilating of dwelling-houses, preferably one story dwelling houseshaving an attic insulated against the outside atmosphere to form theair-collection chamber of the system.

Such dwelling houses may be designed without basement and have definedbetween the floor and an insulated false floor, the plenum chamber ofthe system. The conditioning conduit may ex- 5 tend vertically betweensuch plenum chamber and the attic i. e., air-collection chamber, at anyconvenient location in the house, and the remaining space betweenside-walls, floor, and ceiling of such house maybe divided as desiredinto rooms, 1. e. the utilization chambers of the system. The floor ofeach room is preferably provided with one or more air inlets from the,plenum chamber, and the ceiling of each room is preferably provided withone or more air outlet openings into the attic, such ceiling openingsbeing preferably at locations in the room remote from that of the flooropenings. Air is drawn from the attic, by suitable air circulatingmeans, and flows down through the conditioning conduit over a suitableheater, humidifier, cooler, or other conditioning unit or unitspositioned therein, into the plenum: chamber for distribution .throughthe variantly located floor openings of the room of the house. The usedair from the'rooms passes into the attic through the variantly locatedceiling openings, and, as thus collected, is re-conditioned andre-circulated continuously, as desired.

Further features and objects of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detall description, together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a vertical section, taken on theline l-l, Fig. 2, of one preferred embodiment of the present invention;I

Fig. 2 illustrates a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings which represent an application of the presentair circulatory system to one type of dwelling housefor heating and 40ventilating and otherwise air conditioning the same; illustrated thereinis a dwelling house preferably one story and without basement. Suchdwelling house has an attic as at llldefined be-l tween a roof ll, gableends l2 and I3, and a ceiling I4. Such roof and gable ends arepreferably insulated against the outside atmosphere to, together withthe ceiling, provide a .tight air-collection chamber for thehouse.

' The floor l5 of such dwelling house'is provided "with a false floor l6spaced apart lowerly therefrom a distance greater than thedep'th of thejoists IT. The flooring l5'and the false flooring l6 cooperate to form aunitary plenum chamber I8 walls 2.

substantially coextensive with the area of the floor IS.

The plenum chamber i8 is spaced below the air-collection chamber iii adistance equal to the desired height of the space to be provided withconditioned air. Such space is bounded by the exterior 'side walls I8,20, 2i and 22, respectively of the house and may be divided into roomsas at A, B, C, D, E, etc., by suitable interior-wall partitions, seeFig. 2.

Extending between the air-collection chamber l0 and the plenum chamberi3, at any desired location within the bounds of the space heretoforementioned, is a conditioning conduit 23 normally entirely enclosedlaterally by suitable One or more doors 25, Fig. 2, may be provided foraccess into such conditioning conduit 23.

A thermal unit, such as the coal furnace 26, and/or other suitableair-conditioning units (not shown) is positioned within the conduit23.As

, illustrated, the furnace 26 may comprise an inner structure 2611defining a combustion chamber, and an outer hood 26b defining, togetherwith the inner structure 26a, a thermalizing passage 260 for air. Asmoke pipe 21, communicating with the inner structure 26a, cooperateswith the draft-opening 23 to promote, in the usual manner, combustionwithin the furnace. Such draft opening 23 may communicate with theplenum chamber IS.

The conditioningconduit 234s provided at its upper end with an air inletport 29 aflording passage for air, thereinto from the air-collectionchamber ll. Passage from the conditionin conduit into the plenum chamberl3 may be aflorded the air by an outlet opening 30 at the,

lower end of such conditioning conduit. Advantageously, such outletopening 30 forms the lower'end of the thermalizing passage 23c, so thatair, forced by suitable air-circulating means as for instance by thesuction fan 3|, to enter the conditioning conduit 23 through the inletport 23, will be forced through such thermalizing passage 23c in heatexchange relation with the thermal surfaces of the furnace 23, and willbe discharged into the plenum chamber II as heated Variantly located inthe floor II, and preferably apportioned one or more to respective roomsA, B, C, D, E, etc. of the house, see Fig. 2, are outlet means 32 forthe plenum chamber l3, such means preferably takingthe form of registersof the type djustable from closed to open position. Such outlet means 32are desirably located, respectively, adjacent respective windows, as at33, Fig. 2, of respective rooms-to attain equalization of roomtemperature during operation of the system.

Variantly located in the ceiling l4, and preferably apportioned torespective rooms to correspond to the apportionment of the outlet means32, are outlet means 34 from the respective rooms, 1. e. utilimtionchambers to the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber. Such outlet means34 are desirably positioned, respectively, .at loca tions in the roomsremote from the outlet means 32 to effect substantially completedistribution of conditioned air throughout -the room when the system isin operation. Also, such outlet means 33 preferably take the form ofregistersof the t p adlustable from closed'to open position.

Upon actuation of thesuction fan 3!, as by an electric motor preferablythermostatically controlled. a r is drawn into the conditioning conduit23 from the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber l0 through the port 29,is forced through the thermalizing passage 260 of the furnace 26, andout of the open end 30 thereof into the plenum chamber [3 fordistribution through the variantlylocated outlet openings 32 into therespective rooms of the house. Such conditioned air is passeddistributively through the respective rooms of the house for utilizationand is removed therefrom, through the variantly located outlet openings34, into the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber i II for continuedcirculation through the system in a similar manner.

Admission of air to the system from the outside atmosphere may be had invarying degree by the air inlet 35 positioned preferably in a gable endof the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber Ill. The degree of opening ofsuch air inlet 35 may be regulated by suitable means, as for instance bythe louvres 35a.

One or more of the rooms, i. e. utilization chambers, may be providedwith a ventsuch as that indicatedat 31, Fig. 2, variably adjustablebetween open and closed position. Such room or rooms may be partiallycut ofi from the air circulatory system proper by closure of the properoutlet opening or openings; in the illustrated case,.the outlet opening34. Consequently, when it is desirable to eliminate used air, such asair tainted with cooking odors as in the case of the kitchen, the. vent31 may be opened and the outlet opening 34 closed. Conditioned air maythen be admitted to such room from the plenum chamber l8 through theopening 32, the discharge of'used, tainted air being to the outsideatmosphere through the open vent 31, rather than back into the systemfor recirculation. At such time the air inlet 35, controlling admissionofv air to the system from the outside, may be opened as required.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined bythe following claims.

I claim:

1. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collectionchamber spaced apart from the said plenum chamber, a conduit extendingbetween said air-collection chamber and said plenum chamber andcommunicating at its respective ends therewith, air conditioning meansoperatively positioned in said conduit, a plurality of utilizationchambers between said plenum chamber and said air-collection chamber,outlet means adjustable from closed to open pofltion leading from saidplenum chamber into said utilization chambers, outlet means adjustablefrom closed to open position leading from said utilization chambers intosaid air-collection chamber, and means for effectinga forced circulationof air from said air-collection chamber through said conduit, andtherewith in conditioning relationship with said conditioning means,into and throughout said plenum chamber, distributively into andthroughout said utilization chambers, to return finally to saidair-collection chamber for continued re-circulation.

2. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collectionchamber spaced apart fran and substantially co-extensive in opposingarea with the said plenum chamben'a conduit extending between saidair-collection chamber and saidplenum chamber and communicating at itsrespective ends therewith, air conditioning means operatively positionedin said conduit, a

plurality of utilization chambers comprehending I 'chamber' into saidutilization chambers, outlet means adjustable from closed to openposition leading from said utilization chambers into said air-collectionchamber, adjustable air-inlet means for establishing communication ofthe air-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere, and means foreffecting a forced circulation of air from said air-collection chamberthrough said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relationship withsaid conditioning means into and throughout said plenum chamber,distributively into and throughout said utilization chambers, to returnfinally to said aircollection chamber for continued re-circulation.

3. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collectionchamber spaced apart from the said plenum chamber, a conduit extendingbetween said air-collection chamber and said plenum chamber andcommunicating at its respective ends therewith, air-conditioning meansoperatively positioned in said conduit, a plural ity of utilizationchambers between said plenum chamber and said air-collection chamber,outlet means from said plenum chamber into said utilization chambers,outlet means from said utilization chambers into said air-collectionchamber, means for effecting a forced circulation of air from saidair-collection chamber through said conduit, and therewith inconditioning relationship with said conditioning means, into andthroughout said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout saidutilization chambers, to return finally to said air-collection chamberfor continued re-circulation, adjustable air-inlet means afiordi'ng forsaid air-collection chamber communication with the outside atmosphere,vent means in at least one of'said utilization chambers adjustable fromopen to closed position, and means for. closing the outlet into theair-collection chamber from any utilization chamber provided with saidvent means.

4. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collectionchamber spaced apart from and substantially coextensive in opposing areawith the said plenum chamber, a conduit extending between saidair-collection chamber and said plenum chamber intermediate theirboundaries and communicating at its respective ends therewith, airconditioning means operatively positioned in said conduit, a pluralityof utilization chambers substantially coextensive with the space betweensaid plenum chamber and said air-collection chamber surrounding saidconduit, outlet means from said plenum chamber I air-collection chambercommunication with the open to closed position, and means for closingthe outlet into the air-collection chamber from any utilization chamberprovided with said vent means.

5. In a system for air-conditioning a one story dwelling house, an atticinsulated against the outside atmosphere, an insulated false floorbeneath the floor of said housing, forming, together with said floor ofthe dwelling house, a plenum chamber, said plenum chamber beingsubstan-' tially coextensive with the floor proper, a conduit extendingbetween said attic and said plenum chamber and communicating at its endstherewith, air-conditioning means operatively positioned within saidconduit, outlet registers from said plenum chamber into the spacebetween the floor and ceiling of the house, outlet registers from suchspace into, the said attic, and means for effecting a forced circulationof air from said attic, through said conduit, and therewith inconditioning relation with the conditioning means, into and throughoutthe said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout said space,to return finally to said attic for continued re-circulation.

6. In a system for air-conditioning a one story dwelling house dividedinto rooms, an attic insulated a ainst the outside atmosphere, aninsulated fa se fioor beneath the floor of said housing, forming,together with said floor of the dwelling house, a plenum chamber, saidplenum chamber being substantially co-extensive with the floor proper, aconduit extending between said attic and said plenum chamber andcommunicating at its ends therewith, air-conditioning means operativelypositioned within said conduit, outlet registers adjustable fromclosedto open position leading from said plenum chamber into the variousrooms of the house, outlet registers adjustable from closed to openposition leading from the various rooms of the house into said attic,adjustable air-inlet means for establishing communication of theair-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere,- and means foreffecting a forced circulation of air from said attic, through saidconduit, and therewith in conditioning relation with the conditioningmeans into and through the said plenum chamber, distributively into andthroughout'the various rooms of the house to return finally to saidattic for continued re-circulation.

7. In a system for air-conditioning a one story dwelling house dividedinto rooms, an attic insulated against the outside atmosphere, an insulated false floor beneath the floor of said dwelling house, forming,together with said floor of the dwelling house, a plenum chamber, saidplenum chamber being substantially co-extensive with the floor proper, aconduit extending between said attic and said plenum chamber and to openposition leading from said plenum chamber into the various rooms of thehouse, outlet registers adjustable from closed to open posi,- tionleading from the various rooms of the house into said attic, adjustableair-inlet means, for establishing communication of the air-collectionchamber with the outside atmosphere, vent means in at least one of therooms of the house adjustable from open to closed position, and meansfor efiecting a forced circulation of air from said attic, through saidconduit, and therewith in conditioning relation with the conditioningmeans positioned within the conduit, outlets adjustable from closed toopen position leading, respectively, from the plenum chamber into theutilization chambers of the mid-portion of the building, outletsadjustable from closed to open position leading, respectively, from thesaid utilization chambers of the mid-portion of the building to theair-collection chamber, and means for 20 effecting a forced circulationof air from said air-collection chamber through said conduit, andtherewith in conditioning relationship with said conditioning means intoand throughout said plenum'chamber, distributively into and throughoutsaid utilization chambers, to return finally to said air-collectionchamber for continued recirculation.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein there is adjustable air-inletmeans for establishing communication of the air-collection chamber withthe outside atmosphere.

10. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein there is adjustableair-inlet means for establishing communication of the air-collectionchamber with the outside atmosphere, and wherein there is vent means,adjustable from open to closed position, in at least one of theutilization chambers.

WILLIAM E. S STRONG.

